On Thursday, the President of the U.S. Donald Trump announced the security related assistance to Pakistan will be completely suspended. The suspension will be on till Pakistan shows tangible evidence of their decisive action against the terrorists. Trump did not specify any further details on what actions Pakistan should undertake to earn back the assistance.
The suspension placed by the U.S. includes Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and Coalition Support Fund (CSF.) But the economic assistance of $ 11 billion will be continued. The FMF provides Pakistan with a credit line for purchases from the States and the CSF is a reimbursement for supporting coalition forces in Afghanistan.
When asked about the size of the suspended security assistance the State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said, “We are still working through some of those dollar numbers right now.” It is said the total suspended security assistance estimates of around $ 1.3 billion including $ 255 million for FMF and $ 700 million for CSF. Pakistan has received $ 4 billion since 2002 under the security assistance.
Pakistan’s Military Media Wing Chief, Maj Gen Ghafoor said Pakistan had taken action against the dreaded Haqqani network. He said, “Effects of action against the Haqqani network will be visible in due time. There are several occasions where Pakistan has sided with the U.S. At one time Pakistan had the option to become the ally of Russia but it opted to join hands with the U.S. instead.”
Ghafoor said in case the U.S. takes action against Pakistan, it would be responded to in accordance with the aspirations of the Pakistani people. He further added, “We are allies and a war cannot be fought with allies.” “The CSF was meant for the war in Afghanistan. Pakistan and the United States are allies and they need to work together.”
A memo released by the U.S. says, “This decision reflects the President’s conclusion that Pakistan has not taken the necessary decisive action, as requested by the United States and as promised by Pakistan’s Leaders, against terrorist and militant groups in the region.” The memo further stated, “Terrorists who threaten the U.S. interests and personnel continue to enjoy safe haven and support in Pakistan. The United States has not seen tangible evidence that Pakistan is evicting or lawfully detaining Taliban and Haqqani Network Leaders and operatives on its soil.”
The Trump Administration said the specific demands to remove the suspension is conveyed to the Pakistan Government in private. They further added the suspension is not a permanent cut off and the assistance funding and pending deliveries will be frozen but not cancelled. They said, “We continue to hope Pakistan will take the decisive action against terrorist and militant groups that we seek.”
The U.S. has been accusing Pakistan of supporting the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani network. The duo had been attacking the American forces in Afghanistan. Pakistan always dismissed the allegations that they are supporting the terrorist network.
